A Penrith woman will return to the exact spot she was born almost 59 years ago when she takes on a new role.
Susan Blaylock is set to become the registered manager at Housing 21’s Newton House development when it opens later this summer.
It is built on the site of Penrith’s former maternity hospital on Newton Road, where Susan was born.
Newton House is an Extra Care scheme offering 54 one and two-bedroom affordable homes for the Cumbria town’s older people.
When Susan’s mother – who went on to become a Housing 21 resident herself –gave birth to her fourth and last child at the maternity hospital in September 1962, she would not have thought that almost six decades later, her baby would come back to work at the place where her life began.
“Most of the friends I grew up with would have been born at the maternity hospital and they will still feel ties to the place. Penrith is always home to people who are from here, even when they move away. It’s just that type of town,” Susan said.
“One of my earliest memories is going to see my nephew when he was born at the maternity hospital when I was just four years old,” said Susan, who is also housing and care manager at Lonsdale Court in Pategill, Penrith.
“I wasn’t allowed into the ward, so I remember looking through the window at him.”
Designed to promote independent living for people over the age of 55, the apartments at Newton House are available to rent or to purchase through shared ownership, with on-site care available. A restaurant, hair salon, residents’ lounge, activity room and communal gardens are also being delivered for residents, visitors and members of the local community.
Newton House is being delivered by Housing 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement living and extra care for people of modest means, in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Eden District Council.
